Qualitative Approach to Understanding Guardian Models of Policing

Authors

Jacqueline B. Helfgott, Seattle University
Beck M. Strah, Northeastern University
Joycelyn Pollock, Texas State University
Loren T. Atherley, Seattle Police Department
John Vinson, University of Washington Police Department

Abstract

Since 2015, there has been a growing interest and controversy regarding the “warrior” versus “guardian” models of policing. This article discusses the concept of guardian policing and uses qualitative data from an evaluation of guardian-based training in a police academy to highlight guardian concepts as understood by the trainers. Results suggest that trainers generally exhibit a widespread level of support and commitment towards the guardian model and the priorities of guardian training, view the model as consistent with what has traditionally been considered “good policing,” and believe that critics do not understand the basic elements of the model itself, nor how it is presented. A common misunderstanding, for example, is that guardian policing is taught in place of “so-called” warrior policing. In reality, however, the guardian model encompasses several concepts of warrior policing. Since the concept of guardian policing is subject to continuing controversy and confusion in law enforcement, this qualitative analysis contributes a deeper understanding and clarification of how academy training staff understand guardian policing concepts.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Helfgott, Jacqueline B.; Strah, Beck M.; Pollock, Joycelyn; Atherley, Loren T.; and Vinson, John (2018) "Qualitative Approach to Understanding Guardian Models of Policing," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol6/iss1/5